HÀ NỘI — The most highly-anticipated event for young filmmakers kicked off on Saturday as part of the Hà Nội International Film Festival (HANIFF).

The HANIFF Campus and Film Project Market 2018 is organised by the Cinema Department in collaboration with Red Bridge Film Services Company.

The campus consists of two classes for actors and directors/producers.

This year, 30 Vietnamese and foreign students attended the campus. They will be guided by foreign and Vietnamese experts such as Australian actor/producer David Wenham, Polish art designer Allan Starski, actress Đỗ Hải Yến, director Phạm Nhuệ Giang and director Nguyễn Hoàng Điệp.

Participants will have the opportunity to present their film projects and improve their presentation skills.

As well as introducing their work, the trainees will receive comments, suggestions and guidance from experts to improve their products.

In addition, the campus will help trainees find sponsorships to carry out their film projects.

While HANIFF 2018 Campus is a place for young filmmakers to discuss and learn, the Project Market provides a chance for them to exchange experience with professional filmmakers from world cinema and find manufacturers, publishers, and investors.

Applicants for the Project Market have the opportunity to seek funding from important sources such as the Asian Film Project Market (Busan Film Festival).

"Compared with previous editions, this year the scale of the Campus and Project Market has been expanded,” said Ngô Phương Lan, director of the Cinema Department.

“We invited practical, experienced cinematographers to come and help. Participants will gain valuable knowledge and experiences from the experts.”

Lan shared the successful story of Nguyễn Hoàng Điệp. With the project Flapping in the Middle of Nowhere, Điệp received top prize at the 2012 HANIFFF Campus.

The project has been presented at international film festivals and received sponsorship from many prestigious cultural funds. The project officially started filming in 2013. One year later, the film received the Best Film award from the Federation of Film Critics of Europe and the Mediterranean. Then, director Điệp and her film also received other prizes at international film festivals.

“HANIFFF Campus and Film Project Market attract the attention of many people,” said Lan.

“The activities don’t just meet the demand of the masses but also stay in accordance with trends of international cinema industries and film festivals.”

Susan Lee, representative of the American Film Association, expressed her enthusiasm for taking part in the event.

She was very happy to witness the development of the Vietnamese cinema industry and asserted that it is growing and will become more successful because she has seen the young Vietnamese filmmakers learn how to tell their stories better and more vividly.

“There are more and more stories to tell, more and more talented people are involved in the cinema industry and Việt Nam has attracted many people to produce films.”

“When we nurture the love and passion for filmmaking, we will overcome the limits and tell fascinating stories,” she said.

The 2018 HANIFF Campus and Film Project Market will conclude with a closing ceremony on October 30 at Ly’s Club, 4 Lê Phụng Hiểu Street, Hà Nội. — VNS